The recent work undertaken by Geoscience Australia has focused on the hydrogeological
characteristics of Timor-Leste’s rocks, that is their ability to act as an aquifer which is
directly related to the porosity of the rocks, how fractured and jointed they are and on their
physical and chemical make-up, all factors, which in turn, affect the nature of the soils
subsequently derived from those rocks.
Removing the structural complexities of the geology, a new geological map of Timor-Leste
has been constructed upon the foundation provided by Professor Audley-Charles’ earlier
mapping.